Dr. John R. Orie, M.D.
May 12, 1922 - June 25, 2021
Visitation: Sunday 1-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Devlin Funeral Home Inc. Ross Twp.
Service: Mass of Christian Burial in St Aidan Parish, St Alexis Church Monday 10:00m a.m.
John R. Orie passed peacefully on June 25, 2021, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Dr. John R. Orie was a lifelong resident of Allegheny County and 60-year parishioner of St Aidan’s Catholic Church, formerly, St. Alexis Catholic Church. Dr. Orie’s deep Catholic faith was the foundation of his life and he attended daily mass, was a Eucharistic Minister until he was 97 years old, and lived his faith life every day.
Dr. John R. Orie was the son of the late Richard and Clara Orie and sibling to the late Joseph Orie and Dorothy Orie, and was born and raised in the Polish Hill Section of Pittsburgh. Dr. John R. Orie graduated from University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Medical College.
Dr. John R. Orie and the late, Jean Lally Orie, were the loving parents to their nine children, who they raised on values of God, Country, Family . John R, Orie Jr. , Esquire and wife Christine Orie and their 3 children; Jonathan, Esquire, Meghan and Matthew, Esquire; The late Dr. Judith Orie, Esquire, Janine Mary Orie, Joan Orie Melvin and husband Gregory Melvin with their 6 children; Casey, Dr. Patricia, Janine, John, Bridget, and Danielle James Orie, Esquire and his wife Heidi and their 2 children; James and Andrew. Dr. Joseph Orie and his wife, Kathleen and their 4 children; Stephanie J. Gabrielle; and Danielle, Joy Danielle Orie, Jane Clare Orie, Jerome A. Orie, Esquire and his wife, Erin, and their children; Patrick and Liam.
Doc Orie was a 55-year pioneer physician with UPMC Passavant hospital when it was first located in the Hill District of Pittsburgh and when it was formerly named, Passavant Hospital and was a family physician. When he retired 25 years ago, his office visits were five dollars and he still made house calls throughout all hours of the day. He encouraged everyone in the community, whether they were employed or laid off, to get the health care they needed for themselves and their families. He told all of his patients if they could not afford healthcare, not to worry about paying him and provided free medical care to them and their families. The reason was when he grew up in the Polish Hill section of Pittsburgh, his mother had significant health issues and his family could not afford good health care. So, as a doctor, he wanted to ensure that no one had to see their loved ones suffer without the appropriate health care. On his days off, which were Thursdays, he would take a handful of the Orie kids with him to the inner-city schools, communities and clinics where again he would provide free healthcare to those who could not afford it. While he was caring for the loved ones the Orie kids were in the waiting room playing with their family members, and never thought there was anything different between us and them. All the Orie children thought our father was an amazing father, because as busy as he was, he spent this quality time with his kids. But later in the Orie children’s adult lives, we realized our father wasn’t just spending time with his children, he was instilling values of giving back to the community, helping those less fortunate, and a deep love for community and fellowman. In addition, Dr. Orie throughout his medical career volunteered to do physicals for athletes attending inner city schools, as well as at North Catholic High School football and basketball teams. Dr, Orie also, volunteered to be the team doctor for Duquesne University football team. In 1996, Dr. John R. Orie came out of retirement to work in his late daughter, Dr. Judith Orie’s (nuclear cardiologist) medical office To this day, we encountered former patients and family members of patients thanking our dad for all he did for their families. Dr. Orie had an enormous positive impact on the medical community and the community at large, with his outstanding legacy of compassionate care and devotion to his medical practice. Dr. Orie is a remarkable physician and man!
Dr. Orie recently celebrated his 99th Birthday, with a Neighborhood Birthday Parade on Montgomery Road where he resided for the last 67 years and had received official proclamations from, former President Donald J. Trump, United States Senator Patrick Toomey, United States Congressman Connor Lamb; Pennsylvania State Senator Lindsey Williams; Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rob Mercuri; Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald; Allegheny County Councilwoman Cynthia Kirk; City of Pittsburgh Councilman Corey O’Connor and Bishop David Zubik honoring his Milestone 99th birthday and the “community hero” Dr. Orie has been throughout his life.
On May 10, 2021, Dr. John R. Orie received the distinguished lifelong, McCandless Citizen Award of Recognition, by the unanimous vote of the McCandless Township Council.
In addition, on May 11, 2021, UPMC Passavant Hospital President Susan Hoolahan and Passavant Foundation Chair, Dr. Daniel R. Sullivan jointly honored Dr. John R. Orie with an official proclamation for his outstanding medical contribution to the medical community and the community at large, as a physician for well over 55 years, and as a “pioneer physician” at UPMC Passavant; formerly Passavant Hospital.
Lastly, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Medical School jointly honored Dr. John R. Orie as a distinguished alumnus.
Dr. Orie’s favorite Pittsburgh sports team, the Pittsburgh Penguins honored Dr. Orie, with an official Penguins jersey with the number 99 and his name, Dr. Orie on the back of the jersey.
Winston Churchill aptly stated, “YOU MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT YOU DO. YOU MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT YOU GIVE”. Dr. John R. Orie has made a legacy built on “giving” to the community and those in need——–he is an everyday ordinary hero amongst us!
In lieu of flowers donation to the Little Sisters of the Poor in memory of Dr John R. Orie. https://littlesistersofthepoorpittsburgh.weshareonline.org
Heartfelt condolences from my family to yours…
GOD BLESS YA’LL… x
Sorry for the loss of your father Jane. May he Rest In Peace. Prayers for you and your family during this time. He will be waiting for you at heavens door. God Bless You All.
RIP Dr. Orie
God Bless! Love you!
I was a patient of Dr Orie for 38 years. He was a wonderful doctor and an amazing person. I remember as a child that he would make house visits in his small Volkswagen. He was always cheerful and very positive. The longest funeral procession I ever saw was when Mrs. Orie passed away. They were both wonderful and very giving people.
My deepest sympathies to the Orie family on the passing of John. I got to know John as his hearing specialist and became friends with him and his daughters. He was a wonderful remarkable man. Thanks for trusting in me to be there for him for his hearing needs. Bless you all and may you find comfort and peace thru this difficult time
I had the privilege of being a patient of Dr. Orie from when I was 10 years old, at the Northway Mall, until he retired when he broke both of his wrists around 1993. I followed and supported the political careers of his daughters, and then had the privilege of teaching two of his grandsons, Patrick and Liam, at St. Sebastian. What a wonderful legacy he has created! I pray that your fond memories of times together will help all of you through this grieving period. It is never easy to lose a parent, no matter their age, and Dr. Orie was definitely la crème de la crème!!
The community mourns the loss of this outstanding man and community leader. I regret that his life contained more than his share of challenges and sorrow. May he rest in eternal peace and may his loving family find comfort and consolation in reflecting upon his long and wonderful life.
Dr Orie was our family Doctor from the time I was 9 until he retired. He helped me raise our 3 children and 5 of our Grandkids. He was the best of the best and I have never found a better Doctor. He will be missed and remembered by so many he cared for. Sympathy to all.
TO THE ENTIRE ORIE FAMILY AND ALL WHO LIVED AND HONORED HIM SO DEEPLY I EXTEND MY FAMILY’S SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS. DOC ORIE WAS A BEST FRIEND TO MY FATHER JOSEPH A LEONE SR. HE LISTENED TO HIM, CARED FOR HIM, MADE HIM LAUGH AND NEVER MISSED A BUDDY BREAKFAST WITH THEIR FRIEND JOHN, BILL, AND FATHER ZYWAN. MY FAMILY AND I ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THE GREATEST GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP FROM DOC ORIE AND HIS FAMILY.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
LOVE
GINA
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your Dad. He was an amazing doctor who took care of me from the time I was born until he retired. There will never be another doctor or human being like him with the compassion and caring nature he always had.